Frequently Asked Questions for Villeroy & Boch – Fliesen

Laying, cleaning & care

The joint widths are generally derived from the difference between the nominal size and the work size, or are specified as recommendations in the tiling standards.

Recommended joint widths:

Side length : up to 150 mm : 2 mm

more than 150 mm : from 2 to 8 mm

There are no restrictions on the choice of joint colour for glazed vitreous tiles. Unglazed porcelain stoneware tiles should not be jointed with coloured jointing mortar, as its colour pigments, in particular jointing compounds containing carbon and graphite, could stain the surface. Residual films are to be removed with care while still fresh. Test jointing is essential; please observe the instructions of the jointing material manufacturer.

the tile covering must first of all be tapped, loose tiles must be removed and the resultant gaps levelled out with mortar. After cleaning the covering of any soiling, a special primer coat is applied. The tile adhesive is then applied with a toothed trowel and the tiles subsequently attached. The instructions issued by Deutsche Bauchemie must be observed.

Within a ceramic covering, joints have to compensate for unavoidable material tolerances caused by the manufacturing process. Furthermore, these also dissipate tension from the substrate, particularly with heated floor structures. In addition to compensating for the above-mentioned tolerances, joints also have the advantage of preventing water and dirt from penetrating into the tile covering. A cement-based joint prevents the penetration of bacteria, mould, etc. The alkaline cement-based environment in the joint impedes the growth of such organisms. This is why we do not recommend laying tiles without grouting material in between.

Scoring must be carried out swiftly, applying even, gentle pressure, whereby only high-quality machines should be used for cutting purposes, in order to ensure the best possible results (both dry and wet cutting machines are available from retailers in various price categories). The wet cutting method is recommended for porcelain stoneware tiles.

Drilling

Due to the dense structure of the material, it is not possible to use conventional hard-metal drills on vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles.

Drilled holes with smaller diameters, for example, for dowel fastenings, can only be drilled in a dry state using specially hardened carbide drills or with a glass ceramics drill. The tile must be placed on a non-elastic base without any cavities.

The most effective method is to cut exact drill holes on all substrates by wet drilling with a hollow drill with a diamond bit. As there is no brad point, these drills require a bore gauge.

Due to the full-body colouring of the mass of vilbostone porcelain stoneware tiles, corners can be created with ease.

In addition, with vitreous and glazed porcelain stoneware tiles, Villeroy & Boch is one of the few manufacturers to offer one or two glazed edges for the majority of ranges for formats 5x5cm and larger.

Furthermore, special colour-coordinated ceramic beading systems are available for various ranges; these can be used to create perfectly hygienic and aesthetically appealing corner and edge designs.

Matt, non-polished vilbostoneporcelain stoneware tiles do not have to be subsequently treated with an impregnating agent! The surface of matt vilbostone porcelain tiles features the vilbostoneplus ceramic surface finish, which greatly improves the tiles' resistance to staining and soiling.

After basic cleaning, polished porcelain stoneware tiles have to be subsequently sealed with a suitable stain preventer. We recommend use of the Carrogard stain preventer. Carrogard is an oil-, grease- and water-repellent stain preventer (containing solvents) that gives polished porcelain stoneware tiles lasting protection and that only has to be applied once.

Villeroy & Boch tile ranges are normally modular, i.e. tiles of different formats can be laid together in a modular format, if the nominal dimension is taken into account. Tiles of the same calibre can be laid with a uniform joint width.

Wall and floor tiles of different calibres can be laid in line with different joint widths if the nominal dimension is taken into account. Tiles of different thicknesses can normally be combined. We recommend that differences in tile thickness of more than 1 mm be compensated.

Ask your retailer for the list of recommendations from our company. Our sample panels are provided with labels indicating appropriate colour matches. Corresponding information is also to be found in our product database on the internet. A symbol under the tile indicates the corresponding sanitary colour. Products

Yes. Our bathroom experts at all Villeroy & Boch showrooms can plan your individually designed bathroom with the aid of a bathroom planning programme. The planning process is preceded by in-depth advice at the showroom. The planning itself covers:

precise determination of the required quantity of tiles and sanitary articles

a tiling plan for the tiler

a precisely dimensioned layout plan

colour print-outs presenting views from various perspectives.

We will be pleased to reimburse the planning costs on receipt of a copy of the invoice from the dealer confirming that you have ordered tiles and sanitary items from us.

Areas where glaze has flaked off nonvitreous tiles, glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles can be repaired with a so-called cold glaze. Please note that the technical properties of cold glazes, including wear resistance, UV resistance, etc. differ from those of fired glazes. Slight colour differences may occur.

In this case, please contact us directly by e-mail at: info.fliesen@villeroy-boch.com

Technical characteristics of a tile

No. The manufacturing process is free of toxic substances. Tiles consist of mineral raw materials, primarily silicon and aluminium. Plastic raw materials are clays and kaolin, hard materials are feldspar, quartz, chalk and dolomite. As a result of the firing process the tiles no longer contain any organic compounds, which means that they do not represent a health risk (the ideal covering for people who suffer from allergies). Tiles from Villeroy & Boch comply with the quality requirements of European quality standards DIN EN 159 and DIN EN 176.

Your dealer will be able to provide you with our Villeroy & Boch brochures, containing a complete overview of all articles. A complete overview of colours and formats for each range is also available on the internet. Brochures

Yes. Abrasion, i.e. surface wear, occurs on floor coverings as a result of subjection to grinding and scraping, and can lead to visible changes to the high-gloss finish of glazed tiles.

Glazed vitreous tiles are classified with regard to their wear resistance. The wear resistance groups range from group 1, indicating very light wear resistance, to wear group 5, indicating heavy duty wear resistance.

Villeroy & Boch also offers slip-resistant tiles. Special tiles with surfaces featuring varying degrees of profiling or roughness provide the tile covering with anti-slip properties (accident prevention). Accident insurance companies require slip resistance in work rooms, in public areas which are subject to an increased risk of slipping and in barefoot areas. In the commercial sector, slip resistance is classified according to rating groups R9 to R12. The higher the R group, the greater the slip resistance. In barefoot areas, slip resistance is rated according to groups A, B and C.

Every tile covering with a high water absorption capacity - including vitreous group BIII as per DIN EN 14411 E > 10% - will absorb moisture if the installed tiling is exposed to water. As a result, the tile body acquires a darker appearance in the middle than at the edge. This discoloration is promoted by water-permeable joints, by layers forming moisture barriers in the substrate (water becomes trapped between the moisture barrier and the glaze), and by high humidity in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation or air circulation. In principle, the ceramic body will always dry out again. The greater the extent to which a room is used, the more important it is to ensure thorough and regular airing.

Yes. Our fine ceramic vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are classified as frost-resistant in accordance with the standard EN 14411, group BIa and BIb, which stipulates requirements relating to water absorption and freeze-thaw cycling in accordance with DIN EN ISO 510545-12.Despite continual quality control and compliance with the above-stated criteria, frost damage may nevertheless occur if the tiling is not installed in the correct manner or laid on defective substrates. We cannot be made liable for any such damage as the manufacturer of the tiling.

This refers to a French standard for the classification of ceramic floor tiles according to their service properties (this standard applies in France only). The EN standard for tiles applies in parallel with this standard.

Yes. These hair-line cracks, which are also referred to as crackling, can occur as a result of tension between the ceramic body and the applied glaze. Tension between the substrate and the tile may also result in this effect. The products on which hair-line cracks may occur are marked with a corresponding symbol (drinking glass), indicating this possibility of crazing.

Yes. They are resistant to household chemicals and bath water additives in accordance with DIN EN 122, and to acids and alkalis where specified. Unglazed vitreous tiles are resistant to chemicals in accordance with DIN EN 106, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid and compounds of the same.

A change in the appearance of the brass surface is unavoidable. The surface changes as a result of being walked over. This is not a quality defect, but results from a chemical reaction with the air. Only acid-free, non-caustic cleaning agents should be used for maintenance cleaning. Stubborn dirt can be removed with conventional household cleaning agents.

Ceramic tiles are made from natural raw materials and therefore vary in terms of surface finish to a certain extent within standard tolerances. Minor differences in colour, décor, structure, gloss or surface roughness may occur. However, many tile ranges require an even visual effect and differences in nuance would adversely affect the overall appearance. The tiles are therefore sorted by “nuance” (only Grade 1), and labelled and boxed separately. The nuance is identified by a code of two figures followed by a letter, e.g. 45 X. Tiles with different nuances should not be used together. To compensate for any remaining differences of shading within one nuance, the contents of the boxes should be checked before tiling and the tiles mixed as necessary, i.e. tiles from several boxes laid alternately.

In some tile ranges, floor tiles in particular, the colour-play is an integral part of the character of the range and intentional. That is to say, based on an average colour shade and brightness (nuance code), tiles of differing colour shades, structures and brightness are intentionally chosen for combination. In such cases, differences in colour shading are intentional and not reason for complaint. For a varied, yet balanced overall effect, we recommend checking boxes from these tile ranges, too, and mixing the tiles when laying. Where basic tiles and décor tiles from the same range are used together it is essential that the nuance codes match. The first two figures should always be identical. On some décor tiles, the figures are followed by a letter. If this is the case, the letter must be identical to that of the basic tiles.

To a large extent, no regulations apply as yet in the area of private use, e.g. private bathrooms or kitchens, although there is a growing demand here for tiles offering a degree of slip resistance. For safety reasons, in the case of showers that are flush with the floor in private bathrooms, Villeroy & Boch recommends implementing the requirements for public areas.

The key difference between nonvitreous, vitreous and porcelain stoneware is water absorption. Villeroy & Boch leads the field with its range of tiles:

Nonvitreous is basically used as wall covering. It is manufactured using clays, quartzes and limestone. The advantage of this type of tiles is that they are easy to cut and drill.

Glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware can be used both as a floor and wall covering. They are manufactured using clays, quartzes and feldspars.

Wear on floor tiling is generally caused by sand and other dirt particles that adhere to the soles of shoes and that act like sandpaper under high pressure when the wearer walks over a surface and performs turning movements. As not all glazes possess the same resistance to surface wear, glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are categorised according to five groups of differing resistance, namely wear resistance groups 1 (suitable for minimal stress) to 5 (suitable for high levels of stress), and are labelled accordingly.

Unglazed porcelain stoneware has one of the highest wear resistances of all floor coverings. Even after decades of intensive use, this homogeneous material shows hardly any signs of wear.

Rectified tiles have a naturally ground contour on the upper edge. If this upper edge is slightly angled, it is referred to as a bevelled or broken edge. As a result of the production process, this can differ within standard tolerances or, in the case of tiles with a structured surface, it can differ as a result of the surface. Bevelled edges can make joints look wider.

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